Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj on Friday accorded the status of a martyr of the Sikh community to Punjab anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead earlier this week.
Giani Gargajj and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh traveled to Mansa to visit Jhota's family and offer their condolences.
Jhota was killed by a local medical store owner in a crowded Mansa market when he confronted the vendor regarding the alleged sale of addictive substances to an elderly resident. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody by authorities.
During a memorial prayer service attended by Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, other relatives, and local residents, Giani Gargajj highlighted the toll of the drug crisis in Punjab and condemned the targeting of individuals who speak out against the trade. He stated that Jhota had achieved martyrdom while battling the drug menace.
The Jathedar offered prayers for the continuation of Jhota's anti-drug initiative, the family's quest for justice, and the complete dismantling of the narcotics network. He also appealed for unity among Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and other communities in the state to safeguard the younger generation.
Emphasizing that Jhota chose a path of sacrifice for the public good, the religious leader noted that while a person's physical body can be destroyed, their underlying ideology remains intact. He affirmed that the Akal Takht would support any initiatives launched by the committee formed to pursue justice in the case.
Giani Gargajj further cautioned against efforts to frame the killing as a communal rift between Hindus and Sikhs, describing the fight against drugs as a unified societal effort. He called upon the government to take strict action against anyone attempting to incite sectarian division, pointing to the widespread participation in the recent state-wide shutdown as proof of cross-community solidarity.